**** YALE UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 2020 SCEA RESULTS*****

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

Just because I’m up every night worrying, I figured I would go ahead and make this thread :)) Best of luck to all!

The time is near!

Please use the following format while posting the results. Kindly discuss only on the other ED forum, and use this one only for results. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted [/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FFA500]Decision: Deferred [/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected [/color][/size]**

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1:
Teacher Rec #2:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major:
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:

General Comments :

2

**Decision: Deferred **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Did not take.
ACT (breakdown): (I’ll give the highest subscores of all three tests I took)
Math: 29
Science: 35
English: 36
Reading: 36
Writing 6 (18 on new test)
Composite: 33
Superscore: 34
SAT II: Did not submit.
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/178
AP (place score in parenthesis): European History, US History, Calculus, Psychology (Did not send scores)
IB (place score in parenthesis): None
Senior Year Course Load:
AP Psychology
Drawing/Student Assistant
Bowling
AP Calculus
English 101/102
Honors Physics 2
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
National Merit Scholar Commended
Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Summer Camp Volunteer (Regional Group Leader), Teen Court Juror, Varsity Scholastic Bowl (Captain), Prom Committee, Yearbook Club, Chamber of Commerce Student, National Honor Society, a few other activities that aren’t significant enough to write here.
Job/Work Experience: None.
Volunteer/Community service: Teen Court, Summer Camp volunteering, lots of other smaller stuff on the side
Summer Activities: Volunteering at the summer camp, teen court
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App Essay- 8. I wrote about my lifelong passion for dinosaurs and how a degree in computer science would help me make advances in this field.
Activity Essay- 6. I wrote about volunteering at my summer camp and the leadership opportunities I have there, things I have accomplished, why I do it, etc.
My Why Yale essay was probably pretty bad. I wrote a poem about different things I like about Yale. My supplemental was like 6/10. Short takes: no idea. I just filled them out with honesty.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 8. I didn’t read the whole thing, but he read me a few lines. It sounded like it was heartfelt and funny. I know him from NHS and Scholastic Bowl as well as having his class, so I feel like he probably knew some personal anecdotes to write about.
Teacher Rec #2: 7. I didn’t read this one. I had this teacher for two years and she seemed excited to write a letter for me, so I assume it was a good letter. I put a 7 because I do not really know for sure.
Counselor Rec: 3. She sent it to me after I sent out my apps. It had a lot of grammatical errors. I don’t know if that matters. It didn’t have a lot of personality. Just a basic list of things I have accomplished. It wasn’t her fault. We don’t know each other very well because my school switches the counselors frequently.
Additional Rec: Did not send.
Interview: Did not interview.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes.
Intended Major: Computer Science
State (if domestic applicant): Illinois
Country (if international applicant): United States
School Type: Public (1,000-2,000 Students)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Not sure. Middle Class.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Female in STEM, two grandparents, both parents, and my aunt and uncle went there, grandfather was a professor there.
Reflection

Strengths: GPA, ACT composite, class rank, took double science for two years so I’ll graduate with 6 years of science total
Weaknesses: Supplemental essays, ACT math and writing scores, counselor rec, extracurriculars were not related to science
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I am not that strong of a candidate overall, no obvious talents
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted at Purdue University Main Campus for Computer Science

General Comments : Congrats to everyone who was accepted!

3

Decision: Deferred

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2300 superscore (770 CR, 730 W, 800 W 11 essay)
ACT (breakdown): Didn’t take
SAT II: 740 US History, 750 Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9/4 (I think? School doesn’t use 4.0)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 5/456
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc AB (5), US History (4), World (5), Gov (5), Psych (5), Lang (5), Stat (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): None
Senior Year Course Load: AP Environmental, AP Calc BC, AP Lit, AP Seminar, AP Microecon, Honors french 5, band/chorus/orchestra
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Scholastic Gold Key Writing awards I guess? Some state poetry wins, national merit semifinalist, I suppose the AP Scholar awards? Not much really.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
FBLA VP (9-12) and awards from competitions
NHS VP (11-12)
Feminist Society (11-12)
Select Choir Section Leader (9-12)
Lit Mag Editor (11-12)
MUN Fundraising Chair (10-12)
Class Secretary (9-12)
Piano with some local awards, same with flute
Job/Work Experience: Writer and on executive board for local newspaper
Volunteer/Community service: Generic volunteering, attended a governor’s school for business
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App Essay- 10/10 The most sincere essay I wrote. Discussed the relationship between me and my family and m love from writing which has put us at odds.
Supplement- 7/10. Not bad but honestly really nothing outstanding to say the least. Pretty language, subpar content
Why Yale - 7/10 Discussed my campus visit, feeling at home, rather generic
Why Major Essay- 7/10 Also kind of bleh in my opinion
Short Tales - 8/10 Some I liked, some I didn’t
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10. We are very close and she had it written since the summer. I trust her completely and know she wrote truthfully.
Teacher Rec #2: 8/10. Didn’t read this one either although the teacher offered. Also offered to write me a letter of recc but I doubt it was anything outstanding.
Counselor Rec: 7/10. I go to a large public school so most likely generic.
Additional Rec: Did not send.
Interview: Went okay? I can’t gauge it really thinking back. While we laughed and had a good time I don’t think I presented myself well enough. Our opinions and views were very different; it was hard to connect.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: English
State (if domestic applicant): PA
Country (if international applicant): United States
School Type: Public (1900 students)
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: >$250,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Absolutely 0

Reflection

Strengths: Common App essay maybe? Can’t really think of much haha.
Weaknesses: Hard to pinpoint except maybe just an overall lack of the “Wow” factor. I know I’m an okay applicant, but certainly nothing amazing.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: See above

General Comments : 100% expected the deferral honestly. Oh well. Congrats to all accepted students!!

4

Decision: Deferred

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2240 (730 R, 740 M, 770 W)
ACT (breakdown): 35 C ( 35 E, 35 M, 36 R, 35 S) 11 Writing
SAT II: Math Level II (800), Biology E (800)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3/400ish
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calculus AB (5), AP Biology (5), AP Environmental Science (5), AP United States History (5), AP Calculus BC (5), AP Chemistry (4), AP English Language and Composition (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Psychology, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Statistics, AP Government, Multivariable Calculus, Biomedical Engineering, AP Physics II, AP Physics I
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist (not really any big one)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Varsity Tennis (Captain), Karate (2nd Degree Black Belt), Academic Quizbowl (President), Science Bowl Club (Founder/President)
Job/Work Experience: None
Volunteer/Community service: Started non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged kids develop an interest in STEM, Hospital Volunteer (500 hours), EMT Volunteer (250 hours)
Summer Activities: Mainly volunteering and shadowing physicians
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App (8/10; described the issue I am most passionate about and incorporated my non-profit); Why Yale ( 7/10 generic, lots of reasons); Short Takes (Unique, showcased my personality); Other Essay (8/10, talked about my interest in holistic medicine and how I would make a difference at Yale with that)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: Science Teacher (10/10)
Teacher Rec #2: Math Teacher (9/10)
Counselor Rec: 9/10 (Know her pretty well and she thinks highly of me)
Additional Rec: Volunteer Coordinator (10/10. My non-profit organization
Interview: 10/10 (Amazing, lasted over 2 hours and he told me he would try to get me admitted)

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: History
State (if domestic applicant): VA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public (extremely competitive)
Ethnicity: Asian (Indian)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: > 100k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Absolutely none

Reflection

Strengths: GPA, ACT, SAT II
Weaknesses: Lack of awards, Essays
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Nothing special enough to stand out from the applicant pool
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Nowhere yet

General Comments: Congrats to everyone on their acceptances

5

**Decision: Deferred **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2240 superscored (760 Math / 770 Reading / 710 Writing)
ACT (breakdown): 34 (35 English / 33 Math / 34 Reading / 33 Science)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 730 Bio E, 740 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/370 something
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc BC (5), Bio (5), Physics C Mechanics (5), APES (4), Chem (4), Music Theory (4), Euro (4), US (4), Psych (4), Stat (4), Comp Sci AB (3)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load:
1st sem - Year long AP Human Geo, Year long AP Chinese, Dual Enrollment Linear Algebra, Dual Enrollment Calc 3
2nd sem - Dual Enrollment DEQ, AP Lit, year long AP Human Geo and year long AP Chinese
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): no nat’l awards but there are state/local/regional awards

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

  • 9-12 Science Olympiad (12 - President, 11 - Spirit Coordinator)
  • 9-12 Math Team (12 - President, 11 - Vice President)
  • 11-12 Peer to peer tutoring program (12 - President)
  • 11-12 Beta Club (11 - Junior Rep)
  • 12 National Honors Society
  • 9-12 Lacrosse
  • Piano (have won awards over the years)
    Job/Work Experience:
  • Babysitter (11-12)
  • Tutor (11-12)
    Volunteer/Community service:
  • Volunteer at local food pantry (100+ hours)
    Summer Activities:
  • Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics (state-funded, selective)
  • Governor’s School (state-funded, selective)

Essays (rating 1-10, details): I’d say a 7 for both?
Common App - how playing by ear / posting Youtube covers has driven me to want to create a more accurate transcriptional program
Supplement - how gymnastics shaped my confidence as a leader
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Disclaimer: I didn’t read any
Teacher Rec #1: 8 or 9, my APES teacher who is also SciOly head coach. He has a good impression of me inside and outside the classroom
Teacher Rec #2: 7, my APUSH/Euro teacher. He said he wrote good things
Counselor Rec: 9, my counselor is new but she’s very easygoing and is always happy to see me/has a good impression of me
Additional Rec: 9, my volunteer coordinator for the group that I work with at the food pantry. She has a good impression of me
Interview: None

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Comp Sci
State (if domestic applicant): NC
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public, large, best in area
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $100k+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Probably none

Reflection

Strengths: GPA/rank, leadership
Weaknesses: ORM, probably essays
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I don’t think I stand out from the crowd
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: N/A

General Comments: Big congrats to those accepted! I honestly thought I would be rejected so I’m staying optimistic!

6

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2310 (750 Verbal, 780 Math, 780 Writing)
SAT II: Math II - 800 Chemistry- 770 USH-750
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/450
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc AB 5, US Gov 5, Calc BC 5, Physics 1 - 5, Comp Sci A 5, USH 4, English Lang 5, Stats 4
IB (place score in parenthesis): NA
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics 2, AP Chem, AP Spanish Lang, AP English Lit, AP Psych, Calc 3 at local coll., Discrete Math online
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Scholarship Commended, National AP scholar, US Senate Youth Semifinalist

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
SGA- 9th-10th - Class President
11th - Parliamentarian
12th- Student Body Pres.
Marching Band (Perc. Captain 11 & 12), NHS (Historian 11, VP 12), SMART(Club which helps close minority achievement gap, Pres. 11& 12), Varsity Baseball-10th, Mock Trial, Math Team-County Leading Scorer, Academic Team (Captain), Bleacher Creatures (School Spirit Group, Captain)
Job/Work Experience: Concession Stand and Food Truck
Volunteer/Community service: Executive Director of a Classical music concert which provides instruments to low income students, coaching underprivileged kids in baseball
Summer Activities: Travel Baseball
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App- 9/10 Talked about my passion for baseball and how it has helped me to grow. I thought it was genuine
Supplement: 10/10 I think its really good. about band and what’s its like to seek perfection
Why Yale: 7/10 talked about how my parents met there, mostly generic shit
Why Major: 9/10 Genuine interest in an interdisciplinary field

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: probably 10/10 haven’t read any of them but this was the best teacher I’ve ever had and she’s a fantastic writer. plus she retired after last year so she had plenty of time haha
Teacher Rec #2: 8/10 he’s known me since 8th grade. physics teacher and academic team coach. Very intelligent, but kind of lethargic so idk
Counselor Rec: 7/10 probably very average though he knows me well. our counselors aren’t very competent
Additional Rec:NA
Interview: Thought it went pretty well. The guy was freaking loaded. I did do that interview right after another so I was kinda tired so that might have made me less cordial and effusive.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Mathematics-Philosophy
State (if domestic applicant): Maryland
Country (if international applicant): US
School Type:Public
Ethnicity: White-Middle Eastern
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Upper Middle Class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Parents met there…but didn’t attend Undergraduate so idk. other than that prolly nothing

Reflection

Strengths: Scores
Weaknesses: idk maybe essays. maybe lack of awards
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Because I’m white…sike haha just not that outstanding I guess
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Nowhere yet. Applied to UMD and UVA early also, but have to wait til late January

7

Decision: deferred

Objective:
SAT 1: 2250 (730R/800M/720W) one sitting
ACT: 34 (35W/36M/36R/34S)
SAT 2: (780 chem/760 Math 1/730 Math 2)
Unweighted GPA: 4.0/4.0
Weighted: 4.6/4.0
Rank: 1/370
AP scores: Calc AB (5) chem (5) psychology (5) world (4) Lang (4) biology (4) US (4)
Senior course load: AP Spanish, AP Calc BC, AP environmental science, AP gov, AP physics C, AP Statistics, AP Lit
Major awards: William and Mary Leadership Award, AP Scholar with distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars
9-12 varsity lacrosse
11-12 National honor society
11-12 Spanish national honor society (officer)
11-12 math honor society (officer)

Job/work experience:
9-12 lifeguard (assistant manager)
Volunteer/community service:
10-12 hospital volunteer

Essays (1-10):
Common app- 8.5, about not getting accepted into a highly ranked high school (oh the irony)
Supplement: 7- about working as a teenager and being promoted to a management position

Recommendations:
10/10- from my Calculus teacher who loves me
7/10- my AP bio teacher loved me but he’s not good at writing so I’m pretty confident it was not amazing

Other
Applied for financial aid: yes
Intended major: chemical engineering
State: VA
School type: Medium-sized public school
Ethnicity: white
Gender: female
Income bracket: >100k
Hooks: none

Reflection:

Strengths: rank, gpa, course rigor
Weaknesses: no major appeal, AP Scored
Why you think you were deferred: I don’t have any major hook and I don’t think I’m a strong enough applicant to be accepted in the first round
Where else you were accepted/rejected/deferred: N/a

General comments: congrats to everyone who was accepted. Truly in awe of the awesomeness of our generation and you guys definitely will help make the world a better place.

8

**Decision: Deferred **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2360 (800 CR, 770 M, 790 W; 9 essay)
ACT (breakdown): 35 (35 E, 36 M, 34 R, 35 S; 8 essay)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 720 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 6/600ish
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calc AB (5), APUSH (5), AP English Lang & Comp (5), AP Studio Art (5), AP Physics (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): Full IB all four years (most challenging courseload)
Senior Year Course Load: IB HL Math, IB HL Physics, IB HL Spanish, IB HL English, IB HL World Topics, IB Art, IB Computer Science, IB Theory of Knowledge
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): nothing? NMSF (228 PSAT), AP Scholar w/ Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): President of National Art Honor Society, president of Spanish National Honor Society, treasurer of UNICEF Club, member of Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society)
Job/Work Experience: Math tutor at Mathnasium
Volunteer/Community service: Raised money to provide school supplies to an elementary school in the Philippines where my dad grew up
Summer Activities: Academic program in Barcelona (took an immersion class in photography and an English class in Marine Biology)
Essays (rating 1-10, details): I thought that it was pretty good? 8?
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Probably about average for Yale’s applicant pool. 6-7?
Interview: My first college interview ever. I don’t think it went that well, honestly.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Computing in the Arts
State (if domestic applicant): TX
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: large public
Ethnicity: Asian and white
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 150-200k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: SAT
Weaknesses: ECs, the combination of a 4 on the AP Physics test and a 720 on the SAT II, rank?
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Poor extracurriculars
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted with full scholarship at University of Pittsburgh

9

**Decision: Accepted **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2360 (800 CR 800 M 760 W)
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 760 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/1416
AP (place score in parenthesis): Took 10 AP exams, got 5’s on all except for Euro (4), Chem (4), and Eng Lang (4)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Biology, AP Physics, AP Macro economics, AP environmental science, AP English Literature, AP Computer Science

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Science:
Intel ISEF 2nd place (junior), 3rd place (sophomore), 6 time state science fair winner, 2 time silver medalist at ISWEEEP (International science fair), 2 time American Junior of Science conference qualifier, National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium speaker, NASA, Sigma Xi, Ricoh International research awards, 2 time Texas Junior Academy of Science 1st place winner

Music:
Austin Symphony Orchestra young composer’s contest winner, composition performed by ASO in concert,
MTNA composition national finalist (twice)
TMTA composition winner (three times)
Dallas Museum of Arts Young Masters composition contest 1st place winner, score on display at the DMA
National Merit Semifinalist

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): LASER (science fair club President), Junior World Affairs Council (President), Natural History Club (President), Piano (12 years) dance (9 years)
Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community service: Children’s Medical Center student volunteer in OR, ENT, and Audiology, Books for friends
Summer Activities: Research + volunteering

Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App (9/10)- wrote about how I discovered the world of music
Yale long essay (4/10)- wrote a roommate essay and had 2 grammatical errors (whoops!)

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Rec 1: 10/10: chemistry teacher and science fair sponsor, knew for many years
Rec 2: 7/10: stat teacher, knew me as a smart but quiet student
Counselor: 9/10: new counselor but bonded quickly
Interview: 7/10: not spectacular, lasted about an hour

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Chemistry
State (if domestic applicant): Texas
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Above 150,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: passion showed through my many consecutive years of EC awards
Weaknesses: My long essay. Submitted in a hurry, had glaring grammatical errors, not many leadership positions, asian
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: ECs + rank
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: UT Business Honors Program (accepted)

General Comments : I am so honored and excited to be accepted! And for anyone who looked back at a submitted app (not recommended) and find grammatical errors, don’t worry!

10

**Decision: Accepted **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Didn’t take
ACT (breakdown): 32 (Math 31; Reading 33; English 35; Science 31)
SAT II: Lit (720; self-reported); US History (680; didn’t send)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/182
AP (place score in parenthesis): Euro (4), Language and Composition (5), US History (5),
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics 1, AP Stats, AP Lit, choir, AP Calculus BC, Honors French
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): I don’t have any national ones, if that’s what this means. I was commended for the PSAT, and have won school-wide and local awards.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): student council (commissioner), theater (principal roles), French NHS (president), NHS (participant), SNHS (participant), student discussion group thingy that will need a name change (founder and president)
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: just the required ten hours for my school
Summer Activities: Telluride Association Summer Program
Essays (rating 1-10, details): It’s hard to assess, but I worked hours and hours alone and with a teacher and friend I trusted for months on both the common app and Yale supplement one. 8 for the common app, about realizing I was being pretentious and just trying to impress other people. 7.5 for my Yale one. It was about my mom’s mental illness and how I felt when I found out.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 math teacher. I had him for calc AB and now for BC, and for an Alg II course over the summer, so he knows me well.
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10 I wasn’t sure who else to do so I did my AP Euro/sociology teacher. We had conversations outside of class and she knew a lot about my past/upbringing.
Counselor Rec: Didn’t see it at all but I’d guess 9/10. We met and discussed what to highlight in it, and since my school is small and we have a relationship I don’t think it’d be generic.
Additional Rec: a social studies teacher who oversees student council and is my closest “teacher friend”. I read it and it was long and detailed.
Interview: Alumni. I was initially concerned because the guy was older but we clicked well and I felt good about it.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Mathematics and Philosophy
State (if domestic applicant): CT
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Mixed (black and white; negligibly Asian Indian)
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: not sure
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM I’d guess, first generation technically. I’m not sure what other hooks there are. Def not an athlete.

Reflection

Strengths: essays and GPA/transcript? Though my school is not competitive.
Weaknesses: test scores. I took the October ACT and never the SAT so I really didn’t give myself the chance to improve.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I really tried to be as genuine as possible in my essays and put A LOT of thought into it.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Nowhere, since I did early here. Though I applied to Wesleyan and am finishing up my Brown application. Decided not to apply to my safeties because of this news.

General Comments :
I’m still in shock. They have a limited number of spots, and too many qualified people. I’m happy to be one of them, as Yale was my first choice, but just know that you’re still a killer applicant even if Yale doesn’t say yes. Best of luck to the RD applicants. My best advice (from a position where I truly have no insight): show yourself and be genuine!

11

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2280 (760 CR 740 M 780 W)
SAT II: 780 US History, 760 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t rank, but in top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Euro 4, Chem 4, English Lang 5, US History 5, World History 5, Human Geo 5,
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chinese, AP Statistics, AP English Lit, Advanced Band, Student Government, AP Government, AP Econ, AP Physics

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): nope…

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Student Government (President), Sport (Captain), Band (principal in a few groups)
Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community service:LOTS of tutoring

Summer Activities: Internship at a courthouse + volunteering

Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App (8/10) - good, but only because it was so out there. I knew that it would either be loved or hated. Thankfully it was loved.
Yale long essay (8/10) - wrote on academic passion, showed “fit”

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Rec 1: 8/10: Teacher was crazy nice and I think highlighted me as a person
Rec 2: 8/10: Teacher in field of interest who I think captured my academic passion
Counselor: 7/10: new counselor, but they seem nice
Interview: 10/10: the interview went so well, my interviewer was extremely friendly and I was able to highlight my strengths

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: History
State (if domestic applicant): Texas
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Above 200,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: I had a leadership position in literally everything I did (though I don’t do that many activities) which I I think was good because it both showed I can lead and that I am passionate about what I do.
Weaknesses: My SAT score. I did not do well on any single individual testing. I had to super score for my eventual score.

Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: ECs
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:

General Comments : I am so happy and honored to have been admitted to Yale. Please everyone know that there is hope. I had none and I got in. Just do what you are passionate about and everything will work out for the best. I have been a long time lurker on college confidential and felt that it was my duty to post results so future applicants can see that there is hope even if you aren’t a world leader or 2400 student.

12

**Decision: Deferred **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): -
ACT (breakdown): 35
SAT II: 700 lit, 790 bio
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): -
AP (place score in parenthesis): Bio (4), Lit (5), WH (4), HG (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): -
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP spanish lang, ap gov, college english and anthro class, organic chem
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NLE '14,'15 gold medal

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): WCS internship, another internship, nyu art internship, volunteered for a NYC politician who won, co-choreographer for dance, student production director, mentor, library tutor, etc etc
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: see ECs
Summer Activities: see ECs lol
Essays (rating 1-10, details): common app: 9/10; yale sup: 7/10
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 7?
Teacher Rec #2: 10
Counselor Rec: 8
Additional Rec:
Interview: Idk she said she hopes I get in, im the type of “diverse applicant” yale is look for apparently

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: ya
Intended Major: environmental science
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: magnet
Ethnicity: Indian… ouch lol
Gender: F
Income Bracket: low income
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM

Reflection

Strengths: strong passion for the field im going into, strong scores and grades
Weaknesses: I didn’t cure cancer, I’m not rich, no connections, and I’m Indian :slight_smile:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: See weaknesses
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: So far just accepted to NYIT, also applied to barnard, columbia, nyu, etc.

General Comments : I’m actually really positive so it’s okay :smiley:

13

Decision: Deferred

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2380 (800CR 800W 790M)
ACT (breakdown): did not take
SAT II: 800 US History, 790 Bio
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/320ish
AP (place score in parenthesis): US History (5), US Gov’t (5), Biology (5), Chemistry (5), English Lang (5), Psychology (5), Calc AB (5), World History (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP English 12, Comp. Sci. G/T, Orchestra G/T, Accounting and Finance Honors (required to take because of FBLA leadership position), French V AP, Micro/Macro Econ AP, Calc C AP
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): nothing huge; national merit semifinalist, Princeton book award, Rensselaer medal for math & science, FBLA national finalist

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): cross country & track (captain), “Man in the Mirror” community service club (Co-President), violin (school concertmistress, county orchestra 3rd chair, top 10 All-State), FBLA (VP of Professional Division, several awards in competitive events), Chemathon (president/captain), Honor Council, piano (local awards, playing since 2nd grade), typical honor societies (NHS, SNHS, FNHS)
Job/Work Experience: paid intern at AdmitSee (last spring), lab internship at US Dep of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (junior & sophomore year summers)
Volunteer/Community service: quite a bit; organize several large community service events through Man in the MIrror (e.g. daycare for elem school students, care package drives, meals for shelters, 30-hr famine event, etc.)
Summer Activities: research (see above)
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App - 8/10, Yale supplement - 7/10 (meant a lot to me but probably not the best choice for Yale as it was on my Chinese heritage/culture)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Rec 1: (9/10), AP English 11 teacher, great writer and brilliant person, favorite & most challenging course last year, helped me a lot w/ essays and has vouched for me for different awards (e.g. Princeton book award)
Rec 2: (8/10), GT Chem teacher & Chemathon advisor, very close w/ her, highlighted leadership & told me personally that she had put a lot of work into the essay and really hoped I would get into my schools
Counselor: (7/10), I know him fairly well but not super personally, has nominated me for several awards
Interview: (7/10), first college interview, had a lot in common w/ interviewer and discussed interesting topics, but I wish I had been more articulate, and that I had said certain things that I forgot to say

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: EPE & psychology
State (if domestic applicant): Maryland
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: medium public
Ethnicity: Chinese
Gender: F
Income Bracket: >250000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

Reflection

Strengths: scores, ECs (to an extent)
Weaknesses: possibly scores (I seem like the typical high school “nerd” on paper), nothing SUPER standout-y, essays
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I don’t stand out among all the other kids with good scores and good ECs
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Yale was first decision that came out, also applied to UVA & UMich (so far)

General Comments : Congrats to all who got in – hopefully I can emulate your success at the RD level!

14

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): did not take
ACT (breakdown): 36C (36E, 35M, 36CR, 35S, 11W)
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 760 Chemistry
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): no clue… school only provides weighted GPA which is meaningless for comparison
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school does not rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc AB (5); Chemistry (4); Calc BC (5); Physics C - Mechanics (5); Physics C - E&M (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): did not take
Senior Year Course Load: AP Stats, AP CS, AP Lit, AP Art History, Honors Linear Algebra (semester 1), Honors Research, Honors Differential Equations (semester 2)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): a very small national journalism award, AIME qualifier (just once)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Violin (non-Western tradition, submitted a really good arts supplement to be honest); Journalism (editor for 2 years, editorial board member); research on two projects (one independent and the other as part of a program); school research journal (editor); AP Calculus tutoring; track/cross country (most valuable JV runner in 9th grade; mentor to underclassmen; 2 varsity letters)
Job/Work Experience: Kumon assistant for 4 years
Volunteer/Community service: AP Calculus tutoring for 2 years
Summer Activities: 2 summers at Kumon, 1 summer at a local university doing electrical engineering research
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App statement - 9/10. wrote about interdisciplinary education, hard to explain.
Yale reflection essay - 10/10. wrote about running and how it makes me feel alive. I am incredibly proud of this piece.
Shorter Yale essays - 7/10. these weren’t great, but how great can you be in 100 words? I felt like I needed a fricking novel…
Yale engineering essay - 8/10. It answered the questions and emphasized my engineering experience but was written very, very matter-of-factly and not in a way that showcased my writing abilities.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 9.5/10; from my multivariable calculus teacher, I had a 99 in his class and we got along super well (we both had the same offensive sense of humor lol)
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10; from my english teacher, I had an A+ in her class and she liked my writing. I hoestly loved her and miss her class a lot
Counselor Rec: 10/10; we really clicked! He’s an amazing counselor and I could not be more grateful.
Additional Rec: did not submit one.
Interview: Please read this if you’ve had a bad interview experience. I had my interview on-campus in July, and it went absolutely terribly. My interviewer was legitimately trying to corner/bully me as he asked me some very probing, pointed questions that I did not feel required an answer. My counselor submitted a report to Yale providing my feedback on the interview, so I don’t think the interview was given much emphasis if any at all. Hopefully this gives others with negative interview experiences some hope because I definitely thought my interview would have blown it for me.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Electrical Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): CA
School Type: Private
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: not applying for financial aid
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): secondary legacy (parent got a doctorate from Yale); unusual, traditional arts supplement

Reflection

Strengths: essays, test scores, unusual arts supplement, took tough STEM classes like multivariable calc and differential equations
Weaknesses: did not have a great GPA compared to other applicants from my school, lack of standout awards, rotten interview experience, no humanities APs
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I have no idea nor can I pretend to have any insight into the admissions process of an elite institution. However, on Yale’s “What We Look For” page, Yale mentions that applicants are admitted because, when evaluated, they possess lots of “little things” that tip them over the scale. I truly believe that this is the case.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: have not heard back from anywhere else yet.

General Comments : Remember that this process is FAR from over. If you don’t get in to Yale now, somewhere just as good will take you during regular rounds.

15

**Decision: Deferred **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2400 single sitting (also had to submit the score from the first time I took it which was a 2270 (700 M, 800 CR, 770 W))
ACT (breakdown): didn’t take
SAT II: 790 Literature, 780 U.S. History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): We only have weighted GPAs. Mine is 4.64 out of 5, which I believe is the best in my class. I also have a slight upward curve (went from an A- student in 9th grade to an A student in 12th grade with the most challenging curriculum possible).
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): We don’t have ranks, but I’m up at the top of a grade of 75.
AP (place score in parenthesis): APUSH (5), AP Calc AB (5), AP Literature (5), AP Spanish (pending), AP Stats (pending), AP Calc BC (pending), AP Biology (pending)
IB (place score in parenthesis): We don’t have IB at my school
Senior Year Course Load: AP Stats, AP Calc BC, AP Spanish, AP Bio, English electives (one is honors) (already took highest level English), History electives (already took highest level history)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National History Day (competed since 9th grade, won 1st at regionals 3 years in a row, won 4th, 2nd, and then 1st at states, won 3rd place nationally junior year), National Merit Semifinalist, AP Scholar

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): National History Day (9-12) (highest placement was 3rd nationally, made NHD part of school curriculum, founded NHD club and prepared others (~30 this year) to compete), High School Theatre (9-12) (acted in every show possible, had good roles), Professional Theatre (10) (see below), regional theatre’s Teen Council (9-12) (occupied leadership positions and helped program grow), Cappies (9-12) (Lead critic, won 3 Cappies last year)
Job/Work Experience: Acted in a professional show in tenth grade but no other paid jobs (10)
Volunteer/Community service: Teaching theatre games and playwriting to children and adults on the autism spectrum (11-12)
Summer Activities: Theatre programs, Israel program

Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9/10, was raw, revealing, and worked well with my overarching story
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 8/10 Biology teacher. I gave all my recommenders 8/10 since I didn’t read their letters so I can’t really say, but I have close relationships with them all and I know they are all experienced letter of rec writers. I think they mostly spoke about how I infuse my learning with creativity.
Teacher Rec #2: 8/10 APUSH teacher. Same.
Counselor Rec: 8/10 She’s a really good counselor and knows me well.
Interview: I didn’t get one :/. Hoping I get one for the RD round, since I generally do well in interviews.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Double major history and theatre
State (if domestic applicant): PA
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: M
Income Bracket: 250k+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection

Strengths: I am a 2400 with a personality. I thought that would go a long way. I also think I had the best grades, extracurriculars (leadership and genuine passion), and essay (really poured my heart into it) that I could have.
Weaknesses: no hooks, not enough volunteering or work experience
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I was definitely hoping to see singing bulldogs when I opened the app, but I’m not crushed. I considered myself to be a super applicant, but that doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s not enough to have perfect numbers and fabulous extracurriculars and essays (which I think I had). There was something that the admissions team at Yale was looking for this round that I couldn’t give them right now. And that’s disappointing, but I’ll be fine.

Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted to University of Pittsburgh with a full academic scholarship. Haven’t applied anywhere else yet, but plan to apply to Amherst, Brown, Brandeis, UChicago, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Northwestern, Princeton, WUSTL, and Wesleyan.

General Comments:
“Deferred, but not deterred” is my motto right now. I so wish I had gotten in today, especially because that would mean I wouldn’t have to write eleven other applications now. But I wasn’t, and that’s fine. I wish I could tell the people who are going to read this that if you just follow your passions like me and do things for you and because you are genuinely interested in them then the success and recognition will follow and you’ll get into Yale. I still think that’s almost all true, just not the last part. If there is a formula to getting into Yale, I didn’t crack it (not like I was trying to). Even though I didn’t get in, that doesn’t detract from all of my accomplishments. I’m still proud of myself. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got 11 other apps to write. Wish me luck and see you in RD! :)>-

16

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Twice! 1st time: 2320 (800CR, 770M, 750W) 2nd time: 2400
ACT (breakdown): 35C (35E, 36M, 36R, 33S)
SAT II: 790 BioM, 800 Math II, 800 Chemistry
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/308
AP (place score in parenthesis): Biology, Statistics, European History, English Language, US History, Chemistry, Calculus AB (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Calc BC, AP Latin (online), AP Art History, AP USGov, AP Macroecon, AP English Lit, AP Physics 1
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None, really, except for TASP?

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): I don’t want to do this much, but I was the president of mock trial for 3 years, a Latin club president for 2, and an NHS president this year. I was also an actor for the drama club at my school and had acted in the community previously.
Job/Work Experience: I worked customer service at a phone company for several years and interned at a research lab and at a neurologist’s office.
Volunteer/Community service: I interned at a physical therapy place that offers subsidized care to its patients.
Summer Activities: TASP, internships at neurologist’s office, PT office, research, acting.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): my common app essays were pretty good (7.2?) my short takes and academic interest ones were around there too (7ish?), but I did not feel good about my supplement (4).

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): I didn’t get to read any recs, so these are all just sort of guesses and I’m not rating them (also because ratings are reductive and not helpful).

Teacher Rec #1: English? I did quite well on all the essays in her class and I still visit because she’s wonderful.
Teacher Rec #2: Latin. I was probably the best student in my Latin class, but that’s not saying much.
Counselor Rec: Okay. I know she liked me, but I didn’t really speak to her much. I actually sent her a very detailed email that listed all of the qualities I thought she could highlight in my rec letter, along with anecdotes that I felt would illustrate those qualities. As far as I know, it worked out pretty well.
Additional Rec: None.
Interview: It went well, I thought? We discussed literature and writing and the protests at Yale. He was also a classmate’s father, so I kind of scoped out his political views beforehand so that I knew I could talk about the protests.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Classics, Linguistics, Math and Philosophy
State (if domestic applicant): CA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male-identifying, male assigned at birth
Income Bracket: I’m definitely not doing this.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I’m physically disabled?

Reflection

Strengths: For the fields I applied under, I am a URM. My test scores are pretty strong, and I had a lot of very long term commitments in terms of extracurriculars and my job.
Weaknesses: I’m an Asian with good test scores? We’re pretty much a dime-a-dozen around Yale and its peer institutions. I also didn’t play any sports (but also I’m disabled, so that might have been a moot point).
Why you think you were accepted: I tried to explain my circumstances (disability, my status as an Asian looking at white-dominated fields) as clearly as I could. Also, my school sends at least one kid to Yale (and several to Ivies every year), so it might have helped that we were already on Yale’s radar.
Where else were you accepted: Nowhere yet!

General Comments : I’m delighted to have been accepted, but I think that the college admissions process, and largely, College Confidential and sites like it, cause undue stress and grief to the students that deal with it. Especially on the other side of it, I think back on the physical reactions of my body to the stress about this decision and I am alarmed at how unhealthily anxious I was, to say nothing of how unhealthily students are treating themselves and parents their children. I have faith that we aren’t as myopic as these reactions suggest, and I’m sure everyone will follow through in verifying my belief.

As of now, then, I’m signing off–hopefully for good.

17

**Decision: Accepted **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2180
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: Math 1- 710 Literature- 710
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.91
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 6?/350+
AP (place score in parenthesis): did not add
IB (place score in parenthesis): French SL- 6 Math SL- 5
Senior Year Course Load: Heavy- IB Math HL, IB Psychology HL, IB English lit HL, IB Chem SL, IB History HL, Chamber Choir
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): 4.0+ awards; Georgia Certificate of Merit; Varsity Letter Award for Cross Country Managing; Showstoppers Talent Competition Finalist

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): waaay in the arts- choir (all four years), community musical theater, talent competions, etc.;
Job/Work Experience: Tutor and After School supervisor at local elementary school
Volunteer/Community service: Girls Inc volunteer, Food Bank volunteer, Hospital Volunteer, Cross Country team manager
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details): supplementary (traveling to Nigeria for first time, 1st gen Nigerian-American, self -actualization through both cultures) 10/10; common app (finding myself through my role/musical theater) 10/10
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: AP Calc BC Teacher, 11/10, we are SUPER close and she talked about math, arts, my personality, and how she sees me as a leader in all aspects of my life
Teacher Rec #2: IB French SL teacher, did not read
Additional Rec: Theater Troupe Director, did not read
Interview: AMAZING. He’s a professor of the major I want to go into, and at the end, he told me that he really hopes I get in (WISH GRANTED)

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major:cognitive science
State (if domestic applicant): Georgia
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public
Ethnicity: Black/1st gen. American
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 80,000+ (single parent)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): legacy (sister is class of 2015)

Reflection
I owe it all to God and the people He has placed in my life.
Strengths: diversity of interest and background, interview
Weaknesses: extracurriculars/service
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I let my personality, drive, and passions show through in EVERY aspect of my application.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: UGA (early action), Tulane

General Comments : Be yourself, be unique, and FOCUS on your real interests.

18

**Decision: Accepted **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): didn’t take
ACT (breakdown): 36 (35E/36M/36R/35S)
SAT II: 790 Math II, 750 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 9/450 (top 2%)
AP (place score in parenthesis): US Gov (5), Physics 1 (4), Calc BC, Macroecon, Microecon, Physics C
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
DE Business Law, DE Commercial Law, DE Chem 1 w/ Lab, AP Calc BC, DE Principles of Macroeconomics, DE Bio 1, DE Intermediate Macroeconomics, Wind Ensemble, SGA, DE Principles of Accounting
*DE classes are all 1 semester
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): State level Spanish awards, state marching band champion, etc (more details below).

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Band (4 Years) - Lead tenor sax in jazz band, lead Bari sax wind ensemble, numerous regional honor bands, multiple solo and ensemble medals, state marching band champs, etc
SGA (3 Years) - District Secretary Jr Year, Parliamentarian Sr Yr, 2 years HS executive board, 1 year district executive board
Math Team (3 Years) - captain. District champs - precalc. Runner up - algebra 2.
Tri-M (3 years) - VP past two years.
Academic Team (1 year) - county champion, member of state team

Job/Work Experience: Taco Bell (1.5 years)

Volunteer/Community service: ~200 hours through tutoring, band events, SGA, etc.

Summer Activities: multiple college classes, band camp, work, etc. Fairly normal teenage stuff.
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App: 9.5/10 - extremely passionate about music. Revised a TON!
Why Major?: 9/10 - strongly worded about intended major. Felt like it was really good.
Why Yale?: 8/10 - wrote about residential colleges. Felt moderately cliche, but I do care about the sense of community a lot at Yale.
Yale Supp: 9/10 - wrote about my time and work through student government. Really showed my passion for perpetuating change and not being afraid to voice my beliefs.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 - Precal Teacher + math team advisor. Extremely close bond; definitely was strong.
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10 - Econ Professor. Close bond in class, got along extremely well with each other.
Counselor Rec: 10/10. Extremely close with each other. Continued to see her even though the school switched the groupings for guidance counselors :))
Additional Rec: none
Interview: was not offered

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Absolutely
Intended Major: Economics with Mathematics
State (if domestic applicant): FL
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~$100K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Underrepresented area? My part of FL sends very few students to big schools relative to Tampa, Miami, etc. Lots of anti hooks!

Reflection

Strengths: GPA, scores, essay passion
Weaknesses: Race, class rank, lack of AP courses, no SAT I, no major awards
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I don’t know. It’s a Christmas miracle, honestly. There are so many amazing, qualified applicants out there that I am stunned to have been accepted early. My scores are really strong and I think I stood out in an area where we rarely have Ivy League students (or even applicants!)
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: nowhere yet. Applied so far to Yale, UF, and Georgia Tech.

General Comments : Still in absolute disbelief that I was accepted. Remember - anyone has a chance. Don’t think that just because you don’t have 20 AP tests or a major national award that you won’t get into an amazing school like Yale. Show your PASSION - Essays matter so, so, SO much!! This piece of advice helped me so much - only do things you care about. Don’t resumé pad!!!

:slight_smile:

19

Decision: Deferred

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2360 (800M/800C/760W)
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 760 Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Human Geography (5), AP Computer Science A (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus AB, AP World History, AP Chemistry, AP Lang, AP Lit, AP French
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): n/a

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Youth parliament 9-12 (several significant leadership roles), Model UN 9-12 (deputy secretary-general of large conference), choir 9-12 (in audition-only chamber choir, sing solos etc), volunteer with a federal political party 10-12 (various leadership roles in campaign, etc), school newspaper 10-12 (editor-in-chief)
Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community service: Interned for local Member of Parliament, 10/11
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8/10 – they were good, but they could’ve been better in hindsight. Wrote my Common App essay about challenging a racially-charged spirit day event, and I’m pretty happy with that (keeping it for all of my other schools; it’s very me). Why Yale was about everything I liked, but it didn’t really make me stick out. The why major essay was pretty vague too. The last long essay was about choir, which was cool but could’ve been written better (which I realized after I adapted it for my Cal essay)

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 9/10 – I didn’t do spectacularly in her courses but she thinks I’m smart, I’ve known her since eighth grade and from what I’ve heard, she writes spectacular essays (and my counsellor said that mine was, too).
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10 – I was really close with this teacher and I did really well in his class (pre-calc), but he’s relatively inexperienced writing references so I don’t really know how good it was. My counsellor said it was good, though.
Counselor Rec: 9/10 – it was a great and well-written letter but nothing /really/ stood out
Additional Rec: 8/10 – I got one from the Member of Parliament I worked with - I wrote part of it so it was pretty good, but I don’t know how much it really contributed to my application.
Interview: 9/10 – it lasted for 1.5 hours and it was really really fun :slight_smile:

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: EP&E, Political Science
Country (if international applicant): Canada
School Type: Independent all-girls
Ethnicity: Korean
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 200,000+ (single income source)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): n/a

Reflection
Strengths: I’m very political, and have focus in my interests/extracurriculars. Obviously good scores, good whatever buuuut
Weaknesses: grades are good but maybe not as high as they should’ve been, and essays didn’t particularly stand out (grading is pretty lenient in my area, 86%+ is an A)
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: it is what it is! There are a lot of amazing people who applied, and I wouldn’t say I’m more deserving at all than anyone else who got accepted. It was expected, since the majority of applicants get deferred, anyway
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Didn’t apply anywhere else early (but submitted two Canadian applications because ~safety schools~), but I’m applying to 9 more schools RD so we’ll see how that goes :slight_smile: cautiously optimistic for the time being.

General Comments:
Hoping that RD gives me good news! Congrats to everybody who got in EA, and good luck to everybody else who didn’t <3

20

Decision: Accepted

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2280 (750 CR, 760 W, 770 M, 10 Essay)
ACT (breakdown): 35 C (36 E, 35 M, 33 R, 36 S, 12 Essay)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 790 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3/330
AP (place score in parenthesis):
-European History (5)
-Physics 1 (5)
-Music Theory (5)
-Lang & Comp (5)
-US History (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): NONE
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC, AP Lit & Comp, AP Psychology, A Cappella Choir, Visual Art and Technology (computer credit lol), Dramatic Literature
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar w/ Distinction, National Merit Commended, Illinois State Scholar

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
-Choir: Chamber and Curricular Top Ensembles (Captain) / ILMEA All-State Honor Choir for 2 years (lead sectional rehearsal by pick of the director), ILMEA District Choir for 3 years
-Theater: Lead Roles in many productions, is a big part of my EC involvement
-Speech Team: IHSA State Finalist for 2 years (Captain)

Job/Work Experience:
-Potbelly Sandwiches for 1.5 Years (Certified Trainer)

Volunteer/Community service:
-Spanish NHS
-Freshman Mentoring
-Senior Leading of an AP Physics 1 Class

Summer Activities:
-Work (20 hrs./wk.)
-UMich Summer Vocal Performance Intensive (Auditioned, Merit Scholarship)
-Netflix

Essays (rating 1-10, details):
-Common App: 10/10 - I wrote about living with a genetic condition and how it socially / emotionally impacted me, then how I used theater to overcome social anxiety from it
-Yale Essay: 8/10 - I wrote about how my leadership in choir has helped me learn the collaborative role of a leader

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 - my AP Physics 1 teacher who I senior lead for
Teacher Rec #2: 7/10 - my APUSH teacher who liked me, but not as much of a connection
Counselor Rec: 10/10 - Theater Director and Counselor who adored me / his rec made me cry
Additional Rec: NONE
Interview: Went Awesome! She said I would be a “Good Fit”

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes (Working on it…_
Intended Major: Ethics, Economics, and Politics
State (if domestic applicant): IL
School Type: Mid-Sized Public (1500 kids)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Upper Middle Class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Overcoming a disability? I know that isn’t a specific “hook” but I think it helped me stand out

Reflection: I am ultimately SHOCKED that I got in! I had no idea that ACs would value my presence at Yale so much! Blessed nonetheless. I think that ultimately applicants need to show their unique fit for Yale over the hard stats.

Strengths: Recommendations, ECs
Weaknesses: SAT 1, Summer Activities
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I honestly think that I fit the Yale persona. Sometimes in life you just get rare and odd opportunities. I am very blessed with this one.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Rather not say until all the letters come in

General Comments: Beyond excited! See y’all at Bulldog Days!